CINCINNATI (AP) – Alvin Mitchell led the Cincinnati with 14 points and freshmen Dion Dixon and Yancy Gates each added 10, but it was not enough as No. 7 Louisville knocked off the Bearcats, 72-63, in Fifth Third Arena.

After UC opened the game leading 4-2, UofL used a 9-0 run over 1:26 to lead 11-4 with 16:19 left in the first, after hitting three triples in a row. The Bearcats responded with a 9-2 run of their own to knot things up at 13 apiece with 14:21 left in the half.

There were five ties and six lead changes in the first half, which ended with Louisville up, 37-34.

Louisville opened the second half with a driving layup by Earl Clark and a dunk by Samardo Samuels to take a 41-34 lead.

The Samuels provided a tone-setting moment with 13 minutes to go when he shook loose inside for a basket and drew a foul. Samuels missed the free throw, but Louisville got the rebound and went right back to Samuels, who missed a shot, got the rebound in a crowd and put it in for a 51-45 lead.

Cincinnati was held to 4-of-12 shooting from the floor and 12 points the final nine minutes of the game as UofL went on to a 72-63 victory. The Cardinals held two of UC’s top three scorers, Deonta Vaughn and Mike Williams, to a combined two points in the second half, after the duo registered 15 in the open period. Despite the lack of scoring, Vaughn ended the game with eight assists, his second-best total of the season. Gates scored all 10 of his points in the second half.

The Bearcats hit 11 three pointers, marking the 10th straight game and the 22nd time this season UC has hit six or more threes in a game.

Cincinnati returns to the court this coming Thursday, Feb. 26 to take on West Virginia at 7 p.m. Tickets for the game are available by going online at www.CATSTIX.com or calling 1-877-CATS-TIX.